Major hotel and resort brands are investing heavily in growth, from Hilton’s enhanced presence in Europe to a slate of new hotels on the horizon from Six Senses and Virgin Hotels. Add to that new programming and sustainability goals from Club Med and additional member hotels for Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and there is plenty for travelers to look forward to all around the world.
Here’s a roundup of the latest hotel news.
Virgin Hotels to Expand in 2022
Virgin Hotels expects to add three new properties throughout 2022, with two in the U.K. and one in the U.S.
This spring, the brand plans to open its first Scotland property, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, located in a historic building in Edinburgh’s Old Town that dates to 1864. The design team has preserved the structure’s notable elements while mixing in modern style and luxuries. The 240-room Virgin Hotels Glasgow, also in Scotland, is slated to follow in late spring, offering panoramic views of the River Clyde.
Virgin Hotels Glasgow opens this spring.
Credit: 2022 Virgin HotelsMeanwhile, in the U.S., Virgin Hotels New York is scheduled to open its doors late this summer in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. The 38-floor hotel will include several concept suites, a rooftop pool and bar, two floors of luxury retailers and various dining spaces.
“Expanding into the United Kingdom is a major and much-anticipated milestone for Virgin Hotels,” said James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels. “Our two new hotels in Scotland blend their distinctive personalities with the vibrant, playful and personalized touch [that is] unmistakably Virgin. And with our first New York City hotel following shortly after, Virgin Hotels is poised for a busy year of growth and elevation — and it’s only the start.”
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes 13 New Members
In the last few months of 2021, Preferred Hotels & Resorts added 13 new member properties to its global portfolio, which spans 80 countries and includes more than 700 hotels, resorts and residences.
Kvarli Lake Resort in Georgia joined Preferred.
Credit: 2022 Preferred Hotels & ResortsAmong the new additions is Fox Harbr Resort in Nova Scotia, Canada, which features 85 accommodations spanning guestrooms, suites, townhomes and villas. Other property highlights include a world-class golf course, dining options, a spa and more. The new Esme Miami Beach in Miami, meanwhile, opened in November 2021 with 145 rooms, a rooftop pool and a Spanish-Mediterranean aesthetic. In Mexico City, HS Hotsson Hotel CDMX Condesa Sur joins the Preferred fold upon opening this month.
A few more of the newly added properties include the 41-room Kvareli Lake Resort in the country of Georgia’s Kakheti region; Park Piolets Mountain Hotel & Spa, an all-season resort in the Pyrenees mountains of Andora; Hotel Plaza Tour Eiffel in Paris; and Pendry Park City in Utah.
What’s New With Club Med
In addition to an ambitious expansion plan, Club Med is doubling down on its sustainability efforts and resort experiences to enhance the overall brand.
The company’s sustainability objectives include the phased elimination of single-use plastics; eco-certifications for properties; construction of new resorts in harmony with nature; the introduction of green energy sources; responsible, local and ethical sourcing of food products; promotion of animal welfare; and more.
Club Med has new programming for families.
Credit: 2022 Club MedIn terms of new experiences, plans include enhanced teen programming with unique activities and social events, and improved activity opportunities at individual resorts. For example, all-day yoga programming has been introduced at Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda and Club Med Quebec, while the Club Med Amazing Family Program has launched at resorts in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico, featuring fun bonding activities for families.
An ambitious lineup of new properties is also in the works, with 17 new resorts slated to open by 2024. This year, the brand expects to welcome Club Med Magna Marbella in Spain, as well as Club Med Tignes and Club Med Val d’Isere in the French Alps. Travelers can also look forward to Club Med Utah, Club Med Hokkaido in Japan and other new properties slated for the next few years.
Hilton Strengthens Its Presence in Europe
Between the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and ongoing pent-up demand, Hilton is betting on a Europe travel boom — and making major investments in the region. The company expects to increase its footprint in Europe by nearly 30% by the end of 2023; near the end of last year, it had 217 properties and more than 35,000 rooms in development.
“Europe is instrumental to Hilton’s global growth because of the high volume of leisure and business travel in the region,” said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer and president of global development for Hilton. “As the industry continues through recovery, it has been an excellent time for owners and developers to invest in the future of hospitality, especially as we see travel pick up in markets across Europe.”
Atocha Hotel Madrid debuted last year.
Credit: 2022 HiltonBrands including Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Canopy by Hilton have been particular sources of growth in the region, helping to nearly double the company’s property count within its Full Service Collection and Lifestyle brands over the past three years. The Tapestry Collection, for one, made its European debut last year, and now includes Atocha Hotel Madrid in Spain; Hotel Camille Paris Gare de Lyon and Hotel Le Belgrand Paris Champs-Elysees in Paris; and The Samuel Ryder St. Albans in the U.K.
New Curio Collection properties in the region range from Portugal’s Emerald House Lisbon to The Local Porto Rotondo and Baia di Chia Resort Sardinia, two new hotels on the Italian island of Sardinia. In Greece, the brand welcomed Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, while Wasserturm Hotel Cologne recently debuted in Germany.
Upcoming Openings From Six Senses
Six Senses has announced that it’s adding four new properties this year, spanning a diverse destination list. First up is Six Senses Rome, located in a restored palazzo and slated to open this fall. The property will feature a social floor for dining and gathering; a Six Senses Spa and Roman baths; and a rooftop terrace with an organic garden and 360-degree panoramic city views.
Six Senses Rome will have a rooftop terrace.
Credit: 2022 Six SensesWinter, meanwhile, will see the debut of the 47-suite Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland, offering a prime ski-in/ski-out location in time for the 2022/2023 season. The final two properties are also expected to open by the end of this year: Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives, and Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The former will be a sister property to Six Senses Laamu with 80 private overwater, beach and family villas, while the latter will feature a unique Oasis area that gathers public spaces and cultural activities in one place.
